Submitted by SJI Library

September is Library Card Sign-up Month, a time when the San Juan Island Library joins with the American Library Association and public libraries nationwide to make sure that community members have the best card in their wallets – a free library card.

Resources at the San Juan Island Library are available to anyone who has a library card. Students can turn to the library for materials, programs and services that support academic achievement.

Library patrons  can use their library cards from home, too. Our library offers access to important educational resources, like the online database Learning Express Library. It is available through the library web site,www.sjlib.org, and it offers ways for students of all ages to engage in learning.

Fourth and Fifth graders find help in studying math and there is special online help for Fourth graders in reading. Teens and adults will find help in preparing for college or for many trades, like cosmetology or plumbing.

In addition to Learning Express Library, the library subscribes to web sites that provide help in learning foreign languages, improving English language skills, and free e-books and downloadable audiobooks.

“Our library provides all types of students with the tools they need to succeed,” says Laurie Orton, library director. “We provide students with exciting and engaging programs that make learning fun and resources that they can access from the library or from home – all with a free library card. It is for these reasons that a library card is the best card in your wallet, and the most important school supply of all.”

Library cards are free to island residents with proof of residency. Bring ID, and something that shows residence on San Juan Island. For people who cannot demonstrate residency, guest cards are available for a small fee, which also enables the library to serve our neighbors on outer islands.

In addition to its collections of materials to loan, the library also provides public access computers and WiFi.

Library hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.